Everybody loves a winner

Jeremy Corbyn just achieved a surprising show of unity at a generally good-natured Labour Party conference. MPs who recently plotted his downfall are now rallying behind him, and the bookies have shortened his odds of becoming Prime Minister to an extent thought implausible only a few months ago. It’s amazing how quickly perceptions change.

What’s converted the MPs? Have they had an ideological epiphany? Has Mr Corbyn personally charmed them in the House of Commons bar? Not likely. It’s that they now think that he – and therefore they – can win.

Here then is a question for leaders wondering about employee engagement and motivation: do your people think your business is going to win? And do they think that if the business wins, they will win too?